BUCKFIELD – Jason Kroot crossed the plate with an unearned run in the top of the third inning to secure a semifinal victory for No. 5 North Yarmouth Academy as they handed No. 1 Buckfield a 5-3 setback in Western Class D baseball action Saturday.

The Panthers (10-6) jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning and held off a furious comeback by the Bucks (11-6) to secure the win and a trip to the regionl finals Tuesday at St. Joseph’s College at 7p.m..

Holding a 3-0 lead going into the third inning Jason Kroot reached on an error, stole second, and raced home with the eventual game winner on a sacrafice fly to left by Troy Maybury. Kroot duplicated his third inning in the top of the fifth to add an insurance run. Tim DeLuca and Maybury each had a double to pace the NYA attack.

George Burkett picked up the win with relief help from DeLuca in the fifth inning.

The Bucks Jamie Henderson suffered the loss despite going the distance striking out five while surendering three walks. Chris Reuter and Justin Dodge each had a pair of hits including a double as Buckfield mounted a comeback with a run in the third and two more in the fifth but DeLuca shut the door for the final two innings for the Panthers.